Changes in the Social Security Laws

It is time we educate and update ourselves regardingdisability benefits may be terminated with the basis of
essential issues of the Social Security Administration.substantial evidence which shows that impairments
By having enough knowledge of SSA's vital programshave medically improved and the person concerned
concerning Supplemental Security Income (SSI) andcan already handle salaried work.
Disability Insurance (DI), we would truly understand theVarious laws have also been implemented in order to
workings --- implementations, qualifications, claimingenhance the DI programs like, the Social Security
procedures, etc.Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984, which revised
And since many policy changes have occurred withthe mental impairment listings. The Personal
regards to the mentioned programs, it is but necessaryResponsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
that we may be aware of such things. Like, what newof 1996, set criteria that were more restrictive for
laws are enacted which covers diability beneficiarieschildhood stability. The Public Law 104-121 eliminated
of the DI program? Or if you have a relative whichdrug and alcohol addiction from the medical listings of
you think may qualify for the SSI/DI, how qualified?disabilities. The Fair Housing Act (FHA), as amended in
Here, we present you with vital facts on the SSI/DI1988, makes housing more accessible to the disabled
programs' legislative changes that have occurred forand prohibits discriminations. So as with the Americans
the past, 20 years, between 1984 - 1999.with Disabilities Act (ADA).
On the various policy revisions over the period of 1984Both the Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security
- 1999, these are mainly concerned on how to properlyIncome beneficiaries' population have experienced
identify and analyze the beneficiaries entitled for themarked growth and compositional changes from 1984
said programs.- 1999. As such, the revisions and new laws which
The Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act ofadded up to the total package of these programs
1984 revised the mental impairment listings for disabledhave further enhanced and have enabled the
workers. It also required that a combined effect of allgovernment to reach out its services further to its
impairments be taken into consideration whenneedy citizens. It is but important to be always updated
determining eligibility for disability benefits. A "medicaland aware of the programs of the Social Security
improvement standard" was also added for thewhich concerns every individuals in the country.
disability review process stating that an individual's